topbanner_forum
  *

avatar image

Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
Did you miss your activation email?

Login with username, password and session length
  • Tuesday November 18, 2025, 3:53 am
  • Proudly celebrating 15+ years online.
  • Donate now to become a lifetime supporting member of the site and get a non-expiring license key for all of our programs.
  • donate

Recent Posts

Pages: prev1 ... 223 224 225 226 227 [228] 229 230 231 232 233 ... 246next
5676
Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: New Release: Disk Space Fan Pro
« Last post by Stoic Joker on December 11, 2009, 05:50 PM »
I haven't had time to try it yet, but this looks to be something that should not be missed (Email sent).
5677
General Software Discussion / Re: Windows 7 — first impressions
« Last post by Stoic Joker on December 11, 2009, 05:05 PM »
In my field I frequently run into vertical market software that is exorbitantly priced, slapped together, and rushed to market (prime offenders for permissions headaches). (Client needs security but can't afford update...) So for simplicity's sake I have reset the NTFS permissions on only the program's install directory, which leaves the rest of the system's security intact but lets the program run for users with out making the Admins. Surgical strike as opposed to throwing the baby out with the bath water.

Just a thought ;)
5678
General Software Discussion / Re: Windows 7 — first impressions
« Last post by Stoic Joker on December 11, 2009, 03:46 PM »
The Edsil was a fine car...but you can't buy one today because they failed to keep up with the changing times. Much so with software. The secure computing environment has changed radically in the past 5 years, and some folks have just spent too much time dragging their feet. They seem to be coding like they're hoping the good ol' Win9x security-less days will return ... and they will not. This is neither good, nor bad, it simply is.

UAC was designed has a half-step to ease people out of the (extreemly dangerous) habit of doing everyday tasks with administrative rights. Many (if not most) of the apps that trigger UAC repeatedly will be just as ill behaved if run in a standard user account.

Hell it took me 5 years to get T-Clock to behave the way I wanted it to, but it had to be done if I was going to be able to continue using it on the newer more security oriented OSs.
5679
General Software Discussion / Re: Windows 7 — first impressions
« Last post by Stoic Joker on December 11, 2009, 12:44 PM »
I had to go into Control Panel to check ... I get prompts so seldom I keep forgetting UAC is on.
5680
N.A.N.Y. 2010 / Re: NANY 2010 Pre-Release: Page Countster
« Last post by Stoic Joker on December 11, 2009, 05:43 AM »
If you attach your graphics in a different order you will also need to change the attach reference in your post to match the appropriate graphic in the list of attachments.
That being the part I was pretty sure I'd screwup if I tried updating anything last night.

So, would I be correct in assuming that your (Error: 10013) Send Socket Failures were resolved with the launch permissions adjustment. This is the first time Countster has been out of the "yard"...so I'm a tad worried about the little bugger.
5681
N.A.N.Y. 2010 / Re: NANY 2010 Pre-Release: Page Countster
« Last post by Stoic Joker on December 10, 2009, 11:24 PM »
Okay, I've not a clue how to update the screenshots ... but I add 4 more columns and added the Remaining toner levels (CMYK) to them.

Note: There are 2 color printers at the office that somebody left on ... hence, that is the sum total of a test group I could scrounge up at this time of night. :) ...But it does seem to be working.

So... Current latest build (updated link top of page one) now is v1.0.0.122
5682
N.A.N.Y. 2010 / Re: NANY 2010 Pre-Release: Page Countster
« Last post by Stoic Joker on December 10, 2009, 09:38 PM »
When I run it, it reports
SOCKET Failure
Send Socket Failed! ERROR: 10013
That's the RAW Socket requires Administrative rights part I mentioned earlier. for 2k/XP you need an administrator account, and Vista/7 (UAC) you need to run as administrator. ...Personally I blame Steve Gibson for this nonsense. ;)
5683
N.A.N.Y. 2010 / Re: NANY 2010 Pre-Release: Page Countster
« Last post by Stoic Joker on December 10, 2009, 12:32 PM »
[Time & Tumbleweeds Pass]

So... any input? ...I looking into adding the toner levels, but was hoping for some other ideas before having-a-go at it.
5684
Post New Requests Here / Re: request for a Access Point finder
« Last post by Stoic Joker on December 09, 2009, 10:45 AM »
Speaking of MIB Walking ... Ever try BP SNMP Utility? It's a small, fast, portable, free SNMP utility that will dump the MIB from any device so you can pick through for what you want/need. It (saved me a boatload of time) quickly became my favorite toy while doing research for Page Countster.
5685
Post New Requests Here / Re: request for a Access Point finder
« Last post by Stoic Joker on December 09, 2009, 08:08 AM »
I've written several SNMP-related tools for my workplace.  It's a great (and maddingly frustrating at times) protoocol.  =]
I sentence Ye to walk the MIB ... Yep, that's the one. I just love hating it. :)

The only issue I had with it was a listview redraw bug if you dragged another window over the top of yours.
Hm... I've had (have) several with the alternating line color code & the Vista/7 generation ListView control (which is why I gave up on using them). I don't recall seeing a drag over redraw issue ... can you give me some detail on what you're running and how to duplicate it? (Probably best done back in its own thread so we don't hijack Techi's)
5686
Post New Requests Here / Re: request for a Access Point finder
« Last post by Stoic Joker on December 09, 2009, 06:40 AM »
I guess, I was assuming if it can find network printers then the same technology should be able to find access points.
And rightfully so as SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) is a popular protocol/technology.

I suppose I should have been a bit more detailed.  

A given network can have both wireless and wired hosts.  A scan from your wired NIC could find the access point's WIRED connection to the network but all that's going to seem to a scan is just another host on the network (router/computer/printer/NAS, etc.)  It's still not going to be able to see or know about the wireless network's metadata like you wanted to see.  Does that clear it up a bit?
Not necessarily, Routers typically have a TTL that is higher than the surrounding workstations/printers/etc devices so they can be easily singled out. And of you stay with the Industry Standard OIDs you can usually get a great deal of info about any device on the wire with SNMP.

The main SNAFU with scanning for wireless devices (from a wired network) is that they tend to be bridged between wired/wireless media and therefore have no IP to query them with/at.
5687
N.A.N.Y. 2010 / Re: NANY 2010 Pre-Release: Page Countster
« Last post by Stoic Joker on December 08, 2009, 09:15 PM »
I do have another small tray utility (PrinStats), it's only for monitoring one monochrome printer but it does check the toner level.
PrinStats.jpg
You can either enter the printer's name/IP at runtime or add it to the shortcut:
PrinStats_ShortCut.jpg

Same RAW Socket/UAC/Admin issue applies, but if you want to check it out...
PrinStats v1.0.0.42
5688
N.A.N.Y. 2010 / Re: NANY 2010 Pre-Release: Page Countster
« Last post by Stoic Joker on December 08, 2009, 08:34 PM »
I currently use the web interface to check toner levels and page counts.  And I was just looking for a way to get everything on "one page".  mac address, serial number, etc.
Hm... (shit/me too) ...Here's the rub (outside of the obvious collection issue), Color Printers have four toner levels, so I either have to insert 3 additional "dead" lines, add four additional columns, or create a context item that pulls the info up in a seperate dialog.

The "dead" lines will totally hose the report open/save functions
The extra columns will (tend to) require side scrolling which irks me.
The seperate dialog completely defeats the purpose.

Side scrolling might just be the lessor of evils...

If I have time tomorrow I'll go through my notes and see if there is an at least semi-reliable way of doing this.



@Target - Print NANY  (or Printer NANY) does have some potential ... but I got a feeling the boss won't like it (I'll ask).
5689
N.A.N.Y. 2010 / Re: NANY 2010 Pre-Release: Page Countster
« Last post by Stoic Joker on December 08, 2009, 08:07 PM »
Would the following suggestion help?

Page Teller

or

Print Teller

or

PrinTell

But what if I get sued by Penn & Teller...

I'd like to work the word scan in there some how, but as usual most of the good names are already taken.
5690
N.A.N.Y. 2010 / Re: NANY 2010 Pre-Release: Page Countster
« Last post by Stoic Joker on December 08, 2009, 08:03 PM »
if it's not working as expected (HA!), F**KeR)
That's already happened... ;)
5691
N.A.N.Y. 2010 / Re: NANY 2010 Pre-Release: Page Countster
« Last post by Stoic Joker on December 08, 2009, 08:01 PM »
Thanks SJ.  I cannot wait to try it tomorrow.  we had a snow day off today, but since I am only 2 blocks from school; I will go over tomorrow even if we don't have school.
Cool, thanks!

I like the fact that it gives the page count too.  Could it also give the amount of toner left too? 
Reliably no, depending on the age & brand of printer. There is a small group of industry standard (RFC something or the other) SNMP OIDs but the toner level(s) ain't on that list. That and the printers ability to accurately sense its own toner levels has only recently become possible. The toner level in the cartridge is only calculated and not actually ever really measured. Some re-manufactured cartridges come without the chip required to calculate the toner levels, so the toner "Gauge" will simply "stick" at what ever the last reading it got was. While the calculations are getting better now that they are factoring the actual average page coverage instead of assuming 5%... it's still kind of a crap shoot.

Please understand I have spent hundreds of hours researching the relevant technologies & protocols used by/for printer management in the (roughly) 3 years this has been in development. So if I seem reluctant to try or implement something it's generally because I've already been burnt trying :)

Mouser did have a good point regarding the printer's on-board configuration & status web-server. All network printers have them so the more detailed info like toner levels can be gleaned from them via the context menu.
5692
N.A.N.Y. 2010 / Re: NANY 2010 Pre-Release: Page Countster
« Last post by Stoic Joker on December 08, 2009, 07:29 PM »
I humbly suggest: "Findster and Countster Robot"

Rolls trippingly off the tongue doesn't it?

While it does seem to have a (rather familiar...) "ring" to it ...(LOL)... I did mention that my primary objective was to not get fired, Right..?
5693
N.A.N.Y. 2010 / Re: NANY 2010 Pre-Release: Page Countster
« Last post by Stoic Joker on December 08, 2009, 06:58 PM »
Side note: My boss doesn't quite share my rather cavalier sense of humor regarding application names ... So if anybody has a suggestion on what it could/should have been names I'm open. ;)
5694
N.A.N.Y. 2010 / NANY 2010 Release: Page Countster
« Last post by Stoic Joker on December 08, 2009, 06:40 PM »
NANY 2010 Entry Information

Application Name Page Countster
Version 1.0.0.195
Short Description Network Printer Scanner
Supported OSes Windows 2k/XP/Vista/7 (x86 & x64)
Web Page Currently non-Existent
Download Link Page Countster v1.0.0.195
System Requirements
  • Current Windows OS
  • A Network Printer
  • A Network :)
Version History
  • v1.0.0.195 Repaired Default SNMP Community bugg
  • v1.0.0.190 Repaired Reporting Function
  • v1.0.0.188 Added Save Default Network
  • v1.0.0.175 Added Drag-N-Drop
  • v1.0.0.163 Email Report Now HTML
  • v1.0.0.155 Email Report Working
  • v1.0.0.142 Change Display Text
  • v1.0.0.138 Driver-less Test Page Printing
  • v1.0.0.135 Toner Levels Working
  • v1.0.0.122 Added Toner Levels
  • v1.0.0.115 first rel
Author Stoic Joker
Screencast


Description
The company I work for re-manufactures laser printer toner cartridges as a primary (cost center) product. We needed a way to quickly find out how many printers were on a customers network, what model they were, their page counts, serial numbers, toner levels & etc. The application had to be small, portable, fast, & simple enough for the sales staff to operate... :)

Most of what I found back then was neither small nor portable, and cold network scanning speeds were slow. Most of the applications currently available are designed (primarily) to generate tons of pretty reports for the boardroom types, and leave the IT types to suffer with a bloatware mess.


Features
  • Quickly find printers on a network
  • Auto-detection of network address range
  • Send Printer Information Report to Email Address.
  • Option to save a default network configuration to Config.ini
  • Quickly reopen report(s) via Drag-N-Drop into program window.
  • Send a (Plain Text) test page to any network printer without needing a driver.
  • Quick & easy way to replace serial number (on HP printers) if formatter has been changed...HP's method takes, 10min, an Uber secret code, & an act of congress.
  • Quick & easy of changing the printer's (Ready State) Display Text to any 16 character (max) string. Granted this "feature" is primarily a toy that will be missused...But, I couldn't resist adding it.
  • Can also (quickly) change/update page counts & HOST Name.
  • Scan reports can be saved in either .csv or .tsv format for import into Excel, or reopened  to rescan a given group of printers. Emailed reports are in a printable HTML table format.
  • Portablility: requires no install or runtimes
  • Fast: Typically scans at a rate of 20 IPs per second
  • Small: Currently only 282KB

Planned Features
Open for Suggestions...

Screencast


Screenshots
Main Program Window
PC_Build_135.jpg

  Start New Scan open a dialog that auto-populates with the first network address range it finds on the machine, and if crossing subnets the scan will automatically skip broadcast addresses.
NewScan.jpg

  While the defaults were carefully selected, occasionally that will be to tight for network conditions or devices that don't respond quickly. There is an Administrative Options dialog (Access from scanning menu or with Ctrl + Alt + F8) that allows setting of a default IP Address range, alternate (default) SNMP Community name, and adjustment of the the wait times if you are (as an example) running the scan via VPN on a remote network etc. Clicking OK will save the changes for the current session only, and clicking save to .ini will save the settings to Config.ini in the local directory for future use. This is also where you configure the Email Report Options (if you wish to have the app Email the report).
Options.jpg

 (by request) Emailed reports are now in a printable & presentable HTML table format.
Email_Report.jpg

Usage
Installation
Double-Click to run & select Start New Scan from the Printer Scanning menu.

Using the Application
The application was designed from the ground up to be simple, straight forward, and self-explanitory.

Uninstallation
Simply delete it & the Config.ini file (if it was created)

Known Issues
  Due to the high level of packet crafting required to hit the target speed of approx 20 IPs per sec, the application uses RAW Sockets and therefore requires administrative rights to scan the network. e.g. UAC will require the program be run as administrator or the scan will fail. (I can see f0dder cringing now ... sorry man couldn't be helped).

  There is a handle leak that will cause the desktop to exhaust its default handle limit (crash) if a range of 8,000 or more addresses are scanned in a single session. So... if you happen to be scanning a hospital or university (I have) it's best to scan in 4,000 IP address blocks, save the report, restart the program, reopen the report and then continue scanning. While this bugg is at the top of the list, I'm currently tied up with a production inventory management system that has to be on-line by the end of the year.

  The scanner will detect and report any brand of network printers only, locally attached devices that require share access are outside the scope of the current version of the software.
5695
Living Room / Re: Death in Family
« Last post by Stoic Joker on December 08, 2009, 02:35 PM »
No offense intended.
and yet it was taken...

You may someday find, if you succeed in getting older, that tact is a good thing...and that being "right" is not nearly as important as being kind.
5696
N.A.N.Y. 2010 / Re: NANY 2010 - Pledge to Participate Here
« Last post by Stoic Joker on December 07, 2009, 07:26 PM »
as long as it hasnt been previously released to the public, and its free or donationware for personal use, it qualifies.
Well being that it's (a network administration tool) part of a larger (currently in development - on the back burner) Printer Management Suit that's most likely useless for small home networks ... For DC members it will be free for both personal & commercial use.

It's kinda like a stripped down version of HP's WebJet Admin, main differences being mine is tiny, portable, and fast (you can scan a standard class C network with it in about 12 seconds).

Assuming anybody can use it (I hope), consider it pledged.
5697
N.A.N.Y. 2010 / Re: NANY 2010 - Pledge to Participate Here
« Last post by Stoic Joker on December 07, 2009, 05:38 PM »
Okay 2 questions:
1. If this is NANY 2010, why does it need to be completed by the end of 2009?
•Release the application on or before 31st December 2009.
...Missing something am I?

2. I do have one completely unreleased application that is (in beta) an in-house (work) project. I have permission from the companies owner to do a limited (i.e. to a single site/forum) release of the application which is a network scanner that finds printers on the network & collects information about them that can be sorted, saved to .csv/.tsv, and to a limited degree edited (which can also update the printer). The application is "Branded" with the company logo and lists me as the author. So...(Man that's a long freaking question)... Would that be acceptable as a NANY submission?
5698
N.A.N.Y. 2010 / Re: NANY 2010 Teaser: The Garden Social Club
« Last post by Stoic Joker on December 07, 2009, 11:53 AM »
Yes, but I'll wager that we're the only species that whines about them constantly... :)
5699
General Software Discussion / Re: help needed: IE7 won't go online!
« Last post by Stoic Joker on December 06, 2009, 07:24 PM »
I don't know Danish, but judging from your screen shots, you are configured to always dial a VPN connection. (shot 4 radio button 3 from top -and- shot 5 which is a MS VPN connection dialog).

If anything can reach the internet, everything can reach the internet. Shot 4 should be option 1 (Never dial anything) and kill anything that looks, smells, or acts like a proxy (bottom of shot 4 (LAN Settings) nothing should be checked).
5700
fair enough -- it is sort of outside the scope of the other requirements.
I'm not so sure...as it falls heavily into the user friendliness category. Many installs/updates require or at least strongly suggest that the AV software be temporarily disabled while they are running. If the AV software can not be disabled (uninstalling doesn't count here), then the AV software is basically begging-for-a-fight with what ever may innocently need its draconian iron glove out of the way for a moment. Who suffers? ...The user.

Proactive vs. reactive scanning mode availability is directly related to that central (key) point.
Pages: prev1 ... 223 224 225 226 227 [228] 229 230 231 232 233 ... 246next